Microtensile Bond Strength of a Resin Cement to Silica-Based and Y-TZP Ceramics Using Different Surface Treatments.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of different surface treatments on the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of bonding between resin cement and lithia or zirconia-based ceramics using an in vitro study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three zirconia ceramic blocks (IPS e.max ZirCAD) and three lithium disilicate ceramic blocks (IPS e.max CAD) were sintered and duplicated in resin composite. The zirconia specimens underwent various treatments (n = 1): (i) Sandblast + primer (ZiSa); (ii) sandblast + laser irradiation + primer (ZiSaLa); or (iii) laser irradiation + primer (ZiLa). The lithium disilicate specimens also underwent various treatments: (i) sandblast + HF + silane (LiSaE); (ii) sandblast + silane (LiSa); or (iii) sandblast + laser irradiation + silane (LiSaLa). The ceramic-composite blocks were cemented with resin cement and cut to produce bars with approx. 1 mm2 bonding areas. The specimens were thermocycled, and bond strength tests were performed in a universal testing machine. The fracture type was determined by observing the fractured surface under a stereomicroscope. The mean bond strengths of the specimens were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan's tests (α = 0.05).

RESULTS: Mean comparison of the μTBS showed no significant difference between LiSaE and LiSa (p > 0.05), but significant differences between LiSaE and other groups (p ≤ 0.01). No significant differences were found between the ZiSaLa and ZiSa groups (p > 0.05). The modes of failure in all groups were mostly adhesive (57% to 80%). The mean bond strengths in laser-irradiated ceramics were significantly lower than those from other surface treatments. All ZiLa specimens debonded before testing (pretest failure).

CONCLUSIONS: Lithium disilicate ceramic surface treated with a combination of sandblasting and silane application provided a bond strength comparable to that provided by sandblasting in combination with acid etching and applying silane. Groups treated with laser irradiation had significantly lower bond strengths than other groups.